Pro boxing unlikely to return to Scarborough after Board block Spa show

Daniel Gregory

Professional boxing in Scarborough looks to be dead and buried after the British Boxing Board of Control refused permission for the scheduled show at The Spa in May.

Shaun Ireland, George Rhodes and George Horner were all set to feature at the South Bay venue’s Grand Hall on Saturday May 7 in a show promoted by Stefy Bull, but hopes of bringing professional boxing back to town have been cruelly quashed.

The Board decided the show can’t go ahead because the nearest neurosurgical unit is around an hour and a half away at Hull Royal Infirmary.

The news has come as a hammer blow to promoter Bull, who said: “It’s devastating, not just for me but for the lads and the fans too.

“Since I signed Shaun and realised what a great fan base he had, the plan was always to come and box in Scarborough and that won’t happen now.

“It’s gutting, but we have to remember that the Board are one of the best in the world for ensuring safety comes first, and that is only right as boxing is a dangerous sport.”

Ireland has been left gutted by the news.

He added: “It’s heartbreaking really.

“We’ve all been looking forward to coming back and fighting in front of our home fans and that isn’t going to happen now, which is a real sucker punch to us all.”

Ireland will need still fight unbeaten prospect Tommy Chadburn a week later on Saturday May 14 at the Doncaster Dome.

He added: “I have to stay professional and get on with the job.

“It’s a good thing that the fight is only a week later now so I can get on with training for what will be a big fight for me.”

Rhodes has also been left devastated by the news as he heads into his fight in Barnsley on Saturday night.

He added: “I’m aboslutely gutted.

“It was pretty much 99% sorted and now to hear we’ll never get to box in front of our home fans is devastating.

“I have a big fight this week to focus on, I’ll take my anger out on Ali Wyatt and then we’ll go again and try to get some big fights lined up.”